So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
Nice girls, not one with a defect
Cellophane shrink-wrapped, so correct
Red dogs under illegal legs
She looks so good that he gets down and begs
She is watching the detectives
Ooh, he's so cute
She is watching the detectives
When they shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot
They beat him up until the teardrops start
But he can't be wounded 'cause he's got no heart
Long shot at that jumping sign
Invisible shivers running down my spine
Cut to baby taking off her clothes
Close-up of the sign that says, "We never close"
He snatched at you and you match his cigarette
She pulls the eyes out with a face like a magnet
I don't know how much more of this I can take
She's filing her nails while they're dragging the lake
She is watching the detectives
Ooh, he's so cute
She is watching the detectives
Oh, when they shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot
They beat him up until the teardrops start
But he can't be wounded 'cause he's got no heart
You think you're alone until you realize you're in it
Now fear is here to stay, love is here for a visit
They call it instant justice when it's past the legal limit
Someone's scratching at the window, I wonder who is it?
The detectives come to check if you belong to the parents
Who are ready to hear the worst about their daughter's disappearance
Though it nearly took a miracle to get you to stay
It only took my little fingers to blow you away
Just like watching the detectives
Don't get cute
It's just like watching the detectives
Oh, I get so angry when the teardrops start
But he can't be wounded 'cause he's got no heart
Watching the detectives
It's just like watching the detectives
Watching the detectives
Watching the detectives
Watching the detectives
They're watching the detectives
They're watching the detectives
Watching the detectives
Cellophane shrink-wrapped, so correct
Red dogs under illegal legs
She looks so good that he gets down and begs
She is watching the detectives
Ooh, he's so cute
She is watching the detectives
When they shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot
They beat him up until the teardrops start
But he can't be wounded 'cause he's got no heart
Long shot at that jumping sign
Invisible shivers running down my spine
Cut to baby taking off her clothes
Close-up of the sign that says, "We never close"
He snatched at you and you match his cigarette
She pulls the eyes out with a face like a magnet
I don't know how much more of this I can take
She's filing her nails while they're dragging the lake
She is watching the detectives
Ooh, he's so cute
She is watching the detectives
Oh, when they shoot, shoot, shoot, shoot
They beat him up until the teardrops start
But he can't be wounded 'cause he's got no heart
You think you're alone until you realize you're in it
Now fear is here to stay, love is here for a visit
They call it instant justice when it's past the legal limit
Someone's scratching at the window, I wonder who is it?
The detectives come to check if you belong to the parents
Who are ready to hear the worst about their daughter's disappearance
Though it nearly took a miracle to get you to stay
It only took my little fingers to blow you away
Just like watching the detectives
Don't get cute
It's just like watching the detectives
Oh, I get so angry when the teardrops start
But he can't be wounded 'cause he's got no heart
Watching the detectives
It's just like watching the detectives
Watching the detectives
Watching the detectives
Watching the detectives
They're watching the detectives
They're watching the detectives
Watching the detectives
Lyrics submitted by mourninghasbroken, edited by ljadwin, DocMarten, tdg, GordianPiusIII, blade9
Watching the Detectives Lyrics as written by Elvis Costello
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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wow, do any of you realize how inane your comments are? Do you really think anyone WANTS to read how much you like this song??! It's like trying reading an american graffitti wall - it means nothing but people just wanting to claim territory as quick as possible. Mindless, talentless tagging. So yeah, no shit - you like this song - otherwise you wouldn't be commenting on it. And how lame to post the lyrics then immediately comment with "fucking awesome song". Come on retard. Did you post the lyrics just so you could show everyone how much you liked it?
Anyway, these lyrics are pretty mysterious, what i get is this hot chick's passively watching a detective show on TV. <i>She's filing her nails while they're dragging the lake</i> seems to say something about our callousness as consumers. The last verse is really odd and creepy. It's hard to tell if he's still talking about TV or the girl watching it, - which seems intentional.
<i>it only took my little fingers to blow you away</i> could be about a gun, but also it could be as simple as turning off a TV. Either way, he seems to be implying that the girl died, and was perhaps killed violently/sexually.
Pretty twisted lyrics for a somewhat upbeat song...
[i]"...seems to say something about our callousness as consumers."[/i]<br /> And your comment says so much about you, such is its tenuousness! Callousness as consumers, indeed! Ha! Projection, anyone?
@Dave543210 says "And your comment says so much about you, such is its tenuousness! Callousness as consumers, indeed! Ha! Projection, anyone?" <br /> Well, you cun't be too careful on the Internet, with assholes like you ready to pounce on the tiniest thing. Ha! Care to expand on your comment, or better yet, the lyric in question?
@Chinup they are just happy :)
@Chinup Someones butthurt! Awww did the OP twigger da pooor widdle snowfwake, maybe we should get you a tissue for all your butthurt tears ;*(
@Chinup You are one lame mofo, big mouth never invited to a party. Shove it